A. This may have something to do with the Content Advisor. See the support article Q176316. Essentially, the Content Advisor restricts access to sites or files with unknown ratings. In IE4, click View / Internet Options. In IE5, click Tools / Internet Options. Select the Content tab. Under Content Advisor, click Disable. If a password was used to enable the Advisor, type the password in the Password box, then click OK. Click OK on the "…has been turned off." message box. Click OK.

Q. How/where do I go to download the last few issues of Sacra Blue? I have been unable to download the newsletter for several months. I was able to download the October issue because there was a great big button to click on.

A. The easiest way to download past Sacra Blue PDF files is via the eBlue Archives page (www.sacpcug.org/eblue/archives.html). One typically gets to the Archives page via a link in the left panel of any eBlue "Frontpage".

The Archives page lists articles for each month's eBlue issue and beside each eBlue link is a link to download that month's Sacra Blue PDF file (for as long as SPCUG has been making them).

There have been reports that Macintosh browsers display a "big blue blop" when the mouse cursor moves over the link to Sacra Blue instead of a clear set of instructions.

Q. I found no references to how to get off the SPCUG listserv, Not in eBlue nor any of the SPCUG web pages. The only archives I have are a couple of notes welcoming me to the list, but with no directions on how to do anything else. I get the mail in digest form from listar@calweb.com. I need to stop my subscription soon. Please help.

A. On behalf of the SPCUG, let me apologize about not having any information on our "listserv's." Mail to listar@calweb.com with the following phrases in the body:

unsubscribe sacpcug your@email.address
end

Thank you for making it known that information about our listservs needs to be added to our Website.

A. It appears the TeVeo software is hardwired to use their servers. Camarades shouldn't be a problem. Also, there is a free package to capture video at www186.pair.com/vdub. Being able to 'serve' your images requires that others be able to contact your computer regardless of its address (called an IP number). There are several services available: www.dynip.com and www.dyndns.org are but two. They are setup to perform "Domain Name Service" duties. You get a name like "http://richard.dynip.com" and anyone who types this into their browser will then get sent to your machine regardless of its current IP address. It also appears that Camarades also provides this service. You get a name like http://123456789.camarades.com that you tell your friends about. The problem with having your own machine serve the 'streaming' video is that you might not have the outgoing bandwidth nor the streaming server software – software that could cost several hundred dollars.

Q. I have an OLD (1988) Epson Monitor (model ap1020b). I am building a second computer for the kids to "bang around on," and I was wondering if this old monitor is still usable. It has an eight pin connector cord on it and it was used on an equally old 286 comp with no hard drive (remember those??).

A. Odds are very good this monitor is an EGA-class unit. Totally unacceptable even for "kids to bang around on." Even if you could find a copy of Windows 3.1 (the closest thing that would run games on EGA to keep kids entertained these days), you might not find the video drivers for it. I wouldn't try running W95 on EGA. EGA video characteristics are: 640x400 resolution at 16 (sometimes 64) colors. VGA is the lowest anyone should suffer with these days: 640x480 at 16 colors (this is what W95 displays when in Safe Mode). SVGA is anything better than that: 256 colors, 16 million colors, 800x600, and/or 1024x768 resolution. Personally, I've never seen a 286 system with no hard drive. Granted, such a system could certainly function but at that time, the cost of a 40 Meg drive was not out of line with the overall cost of a system.

Q. Just wondered if you had some quick fix for the fact that my curser (and mouse) locks up periodically. Most often I can still use the keyboard and tab through various sites on the Web but it is frustrating to have the mouse lock up like that. It happens when I'm surfing and it happens when I'm using Word or a certain publishing program I have. Seems to be related to RAM (which I have 64 megs of). Is it possible to make sure my mouse has enough of that RAM memory? Perhaps it is possible to manually allocate it? If I had a choice, I'd like for the mouse to have a little more RAM. I let a friend upgrade my system but, unfortunately, we lost the sound and CD-ROM capabilities. Getting the mouse fixed is the first priority.

A. After reviewing your Device Manager listing, there are no conflicting IRQ resources. IRQ12 is assigned to the PS/2 mouse and IRQ4 is assigned to COM1. IRQ5 is not listed and is typically assigned to the sound card. IRQ7 is also not listed and is typically assigned to the printer port. Some printer ports can function without Windows needing to manage an IRQ for it. Try removing the sound card, rebooting, reinstalling the sound card, and rebooting to see if Windows will re-detect the sound card and re-install the drivers.

In the meantime, if your mouse came with a PS/2 to DB-9 adapter, attach it and then plug the mouse into the COM1 port. The COM1 port should look like the following:

Be sure to have your computer powered off before plugging in the PS/2 mouse, even with the adapter attached. A 'true' serial mouse can be plugged in after the computer has already been turned on. One of the first things Windows9x does is check to see if there is a mouse attached to COM1. There is no settings or installation - it's all automatic. In fact, Windows will probably use both mouses if both types are attached: the PS/2 mouse connected to the small round connector, and a serial mouse connected to the DB9 connector. So, for right now, find or get a female PS/2 to female DB9 adapter or buy a cheap serial mouse. Attach the mouse to COM1 and turn the computer on. See what happens. The COM1 port uses different resources. Obviously, something is interferring with the resources that the PS/2 port uses. Finding out what that is will require painstaking and time-consuming analysis.

Q. How can I get rid of the screeching noise that the computer (?modem) generates when I go on-line? My operating system is Windows 98SE and I have a Dell desktop computer and an IBM Thinkpad notebook. If you need more information about types of modems, etc., I will be glad to provide that. Thank you very much for your help.

A. For many people, hearing the noise is a reassuring indicator that the modem is making a good connection. But if you wish to silence it entirely, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on My Computer.
2. Click on Properties from the small menu that pops up.
3. Click on the Device Manager tab at the top of the Systems Properties window that appears.
4. Click the [+] next to the word Modems.
5. Click on the modem installed in your system. It becomes 'selected.'
6. Click on the Properties button near the bottom of the Systems Properties window.
7. Click on the Connection tab at the top of the Modem Properties window that appears.
8. Click the Advanced tab near the bottom of that window.
9. In the Extra Settings field, enter M0 (that's a zero, not the letter 'O').
10. Click OK, OK, OK.
11. Place your call. If it works, your all done!

Or, here is an alternate way although some have reported that this does not always work:

Repeat steps 1 through 6 above.

7. Click on the Modem tab at the top of the Modem Properties window that appears.
8. Slide the Speaker Volume knob to 'OFF"
9. Click OK, OK

Q. My wife's system is an IBM Aptive running Windows 98. We had been using a HP Deskjet 870Cse printer and an HP Colorado 14 Gb external tape drive that uses the parallel port. When I would do a backup of her system, I'd turn off the system, disconnect the printer and connect the tape drive and reboot the system. The backup is done via HP's backup software. It has worked flawlessly for two years. Two days ago I did two things: I installed a new PS/2 Logitech mouse and a new HP Deskjet 932C printer. Both work just fine. However, when I tried to backup the system, the tape drive did not function: it read the tape header and seemed to begin backing up the root directory but then it either crashes the system or just does nothing. It cannot be dismissed in any manner. The tapes check out fine. I attempted to re-install the backup software. It refused, telling me that an external tape drive was already installed. It was my impression that the installation of the printer produced some conflict at the driver or dll level. However, I un-installed the printer (and presumably all the drivers and dll's installed with it) but this action did not solve the problem. I do not think the mouse should have caused such a conflict. A long visit to HP's web site did not help. I will try anything reasonable. Thanks.

A. I want you to look at the parallel port settings in the BIOS setup screens. The parallel port "might" have been reset to ECP or ECP/EPP although driver install routines usually cannot touch this. Make sure the port is set to EPP (preferred) or Bi-Directional.

R. As you suggested, I checked the BIOS setup - in fact, the LPT port was set up as ECP - I reset it to EPP and all is well. I am backing up to a tape as I type this message, and the printer seems to work fine too. When I first booted with the EPP setting, Windows refused to recognize the printer and wanted to install drivers for a new device. I dismissed this dialog and subsequently printed a document without any problems. How the LPT port got set to ECP is a mystery. I am sure it was set to EPP for the HP 870Cse. Anyway, all is well.

Q. Is there a BIOS setting that can disable some of my RAM? This is the final question from MS Wizard memory troubleshooter. I recently added 64Mbytes of RAM to a Compaq Presario 4528, 233mhz, running Windows98. MS System reports 48Mbytes total. I looked at the BIOS setup (did not make any changes) but did not find a setting that relates to RAM. Can you suggest a possible solution?

A. The BIOS settings can disable a very small amount of RAM, specifically at the 15Meg to 16Meg memory range, called a "memory hole." Some BIOS's permit this for certain operating systems. Windows 98 does not require this memory hole and if there is a BIOS setting for it, disable it. It can usually be found in the advanced settings section. However, your Compaq problem is based on an incorrect physical memory module configuration.

A search at Compaq's Tech Support site says this about the Presario 4528:

"The 4528 and 4532 are shipped with 32Mbytes of system memory. One slot is available for insertion of another 16/32Mbyte module to upgrade the memory to a 64Mbyte maximum. These machines require Sync DRAM memory, 168-pin, 3.3 volt, 10ns (100MHz), unbuffered, non-parity, with gold contacts. Part numbers for these memory modules are: 271433-001 for the 16Mb module and 271434-001 for the 32 Mb module. They can be ordered via Compaq's Option Sales Group at 800-888-0220."

So, my conclusion is that the 64Meg RAM stick you added to the 4528 represents an invalid memory configuration. Try replacing the 64Meg stick with a 32Meg stick - you may have to be happy with just 64Megs total. Double check Chapter 4 of your user's manual. It should mention this limitation.

Q. I want to buy an external SCSI tape drive. I have an Adaptec AHA-2940 Ultra Wide SCSI adapter on my system that is currently connected to my 2 hard drives. My problem is that I am confused by the various terms used to describe SCSI units. Will I be able to use a SCSI-2 product?

A. Here are the various designations:

SCSI-2 is the baseline protocol and has a 50-pin rectangular connector.

SCSI-3 is a protocol that describes the various enhancements that can be made to SCSI-2 and starts at FAST-20.

• Add the word FAST (and drop the -2) to get a 10Mhz transfer rate.
• Add the word FAST-20 (same as "Ultra") to get a 20MHz transfer rate.
• Add the word FAST-40 to get a 40MHz transfer rate.
• Add the word WIDE to get two-byte wide transfers (68-pin D-shaped connector).
• Add the words FAST and WIDE to get two-byte wide 10MHz transfers.
• Add the words FAST-20 and WIDE (same as "Ultra-Wide") to get two-byte wide 20MHz transfers.
• Add the words FAST-40 and WIDE to get two-byte wide 40MHz transfers.

Your 2940AUW has the 50-pin rectangular connector (SCSI-2) and the 68-pin D-shaped connector (P-cable) on the board internally. There is also a 50-pin high-density D-shaped connector (A-cable, Alternative 1) on the back panel. You can only have two of the three connectors in use at a time. The tape drive will work - the transfer rates are independent and it probably uses the A-cable.

(The term "Ultra SCSI", as attempted to have been used by the standards committee, is now properly called FAST-20 SCSI. The manufacturer UltraStore has trademarked "Ultra SCSI" and for them and them only, "Ultra SCSI" referes to SCSI FAST.)

Q. How can I tell what my motherboard is without opening the case?

A. Right after turning the computer on, when it is checking the memory, at the bottom of the screen there is the BIOS manufacturer's motherboard ID code. Look at ComputerCraft to identify the manufacturer of your board. Characters 6 and 7 of the largest group of characters is the manufacturer code. Also, at the top, you will see what type of CPU is installed and it's operating speed.

A. Microsoft is aware of this problem. Please see their support article Q276435. Essentially, you will be setting the font size to "smallest" in both Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, restarting Windows, then resetting the font size in both applications back to "medium."

Q. I had Microsoft Music Composer installed on my old machine and cannot seem to locate the software to install on my new machine. Microsoft's website doesn't seem to be of help. Any ideas what package it might be from? I thought it was FrontPage, but I can't locate my '97 disc and my '98 doesn't appear to have it. Any help would be appreciated!

A. I think Music Composer has been renamed to Microsoft DirectMusic Producer, a component of DirectX7. Apparently, Music Composer came with Visual Studio (Visual InterDev). Take a look at Microsoft Downloads and see if the free download for DirectMusic Producer is there. (Probably not - I found several references expressing disappointment that DirectMusic is not available separately.) Read this article at GamaSutra for more info.

Q. I have Windows 98SE on my new notebook computer. Several months ago I saw an item in a computer publication which told me how to columnate the start menu on my desktop computer (also Windows 98SE). Unfortunately, I have misplaced it. Recently, I read about a free downloadable program which I can install which can accomplish this, but would like to do it "internally" if possible.

A. This ZDNet article discusses how to better organize the entries on the Programs submenu in an effort to reduce the size of that submenu. However, at this ZDNet article we learn how to make a Registry change. If you are not comfortable making such changes on your own, please call a Mentor List volunteer for a step-by-step "talk-through." Essentially, the article suggests finding

HLM\Software\MICROSOFT\Windows\
CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced

and adding a new Key/Data pair: StartMenuScrollPrograms = FALSE

This Key/Data pair may require that you have Internet Explorer 5 installed.

The program you refered to is Xteq's X-Setup. It has the ability to make this change and many others.

Q. I have a Gateway PC with an AdaptecCD burner that is fine for making CDs from MP3 via WAV files or from other CDs I own. But, I also have many old reel-to-reel audio tapes with music that I want to put on CD. I asked Gateway and was told that there may be software (unspecified) available and I would need a cable from my tape deck or audio amplifier to my PC. First, I do not see anywhere on the PC that takes audio input. Is there such a plug and how is it identifiable? Second, does my Windows98 already have the ability to record analog tape music? Finally, what process must I follow to set this up?

A. First, most sound cards have an input jack. It's usually located right next to where the speakers plug in. On the other hand, I have been noticing modern computers with the sound card ports spread out all over the case. But there are three or four related jacks typically located on the back panel of the computer (along with a joystick connector): MIC, IN, OUT, and SPKR (OUT and SPKR could be the same). You will need an adapter cable from Radio Shack: 3.5mm male stereo mini-plug to two male RCA plugs. If your deck (or Line-out jacks on the amplifier) is located several feet away from the computer, you may also need a 3.5mm extension cable.

Second, W98 has a simple sound recorder: Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, Sound Recorder (saves as .WAV files).

Finally, connect the deck to the IN jack, activate the Sound Recorder, record, save the file, convert and burn.

Take a look at these Web sites:

1) APNPC
2) Xing
3) Buy-o-Net.

The first is a 'frontend' which requires and controls the encoder drivers of the second. You can buy the encoder at the third web address.

There are plenty of other .WAV to .MPG converters available. While at www.hotfiles.com, take a look around and see what other converter programs might interest you. If you use the Sound Recorder, you already have the .WAV source file. By using another converter, you don't need Xing's drivers. I think you mentioned the AdaptecCD burner program has a .WAV to .MPG converter, which you already have.

Q. I have recently installed Office Professional & Bookshelf on my computer, and need to get information, via a floppy disk, to my clients who have Office 97 on their new computer. For some reason, I cannot make a copy from Excel onto a floppy disk.

A. If you are saving your work to floppy using File, Save As... and specifying A: as the destination, perhaps the file is too big to fit on a floppy. While not yet confirming this, perhaps Excel keeps a temporary copy of the spreadsheet along with the main file when it is opened. If that's the case, then there might not be enough room for both the main file and the temporary working copy. Try working on the spreadsheet when the file is located in My Documents, then when finished, close Excel. Then copy the file to the A: drive.

Q. I would like to change the default location of email folders for Outlook Express. I have Version 5 under Windows 98. It defaults to having the Email folders in the My Documents folder. However, that creates a problem for me when I do backup because I now have 65 megabytes of email "stuff." I would like to create a new folder that is called My Email, or something, and move the email to that. I need to know how to tell Outlook Express 5 that I have done that, and I can't find any option that will let me tell it. Thank you.

A. Click Tools, Options, the Maintenence tab, then click the Store Folder... button. Enter a new directory path in the window that pops up. If OE asks you if you want to move your current mail to the new folder, and if you say yes, be sure you have enough space (on the other drive). If OE complains that that it cannot find the new folder, create it from within Windows Explorer and try again.

Q. I notice that each mailbox folder (I had a lot of folders under Outlook Express 4) would have both a data file (e.g., Deleted Items.mbx) and an index file (e.g., Deleted Items.idx). After moving the default location of email folders for Outlook Express 5, under the new folder, everything is a dbx folder (e.g. Deleted Items.dbx, and it is the size of the previous two combined.). Everything seems to work ok. Should I be concerned, and do you understand the new naming conventions?

A. Outlook Express 5 will continue to use the .MDX/.IDX format used by Outlook Express 4 until it has a good excuse to convert them to the .DBX format, such as moving the default location of email folders.

Q. Also, I would like to move my address book into My Documents if that is possible. Right now I manually copy it each time I do backup. But it would be much nicer if I did not have to do that. I looked in Help for Outlook Express and I could not find it.

A. See the Microsoft Support article Q156828. You will be making a registry change.

Q. Help. I am unable to make a new folder on C Drive using windows Explorer. I open Explorer, then click on FILE, then click on NEW. A long window opens, filled with a list of "documents" from programs (for lack of a better explanation). When I move the mouse curser up to the section FOLDER to make a "new folder", the window suddenly closes. How can I delete some of those "document" items to reduce the size of that window so it will stay open?

A. The easiest way to remove items from the right-click context menu is by using a registry tweaker. The following links will get you to a couple sites that offer such a utility if you don't already have TweakUI installed in your Control Panel.

itwkule.exe
xq-xsetup.zip

Q. I have a laptop connected to a desktop via a lap-link style cable. I can transfer files and share the printer, but is it possible to access the Internet through both computers with only the one modem installed in the desktop computer?

A. Through a laplink-style cable, it is possible, but LapLink doesn't have the proper drivers. Essentially, what you want is a proxy server or Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) server that can communicate via the parallel ports.

The big problem you are going to run into is that Proxy/ICS servers typically require the TCP/IP protocol be installed because internet data packets are addressable, meaning that web pages for machine #2 need to be routed to machine #2—and TCP/IP is a routable protocol. With this capability in mind, you can connect any number of machines to your home network, each having a unique address.

Now, what you want to find is a way to 'bind' TCP/IP to Direct Cable Connection (DCC) using a laplink-style parallel cable. Unfortunately, Microsoft's DCC isn't a networkable driver. Try Otex, MaccaSoft, and especially Tiny Software which has Winroute. These companies have "Connect your LAN to the Internet"-type software which may work with LANs connected via the parallel port.

A. Typically, the Web browsing environment does not permit data to 'persist' across web pages so 'shopping cart'-type functions must be put in place to do so. Those functions might take the form of cookies, cookie and session variable combinations, or password and database combinations - all considered "shopping carts."

These solutions stem from the fact that data entered into forms do not persist (that is, data is forgotten once the visitor has reloaded that same web page). Netscape will, in fact, remember user entered "form data" for one and only one return to a page with form fields in it. Internet Explorer may remember for more times than that. Notice I said 'return,' not 'reload.' The difference is whether the visitor presses the BACK button to re-display the page with the form vs. clicking a link on a separate page to get to the page with the form.

Within a cookie, you can save a good chunk of data. But in the typical case, a unique visitor ID is used and is associated with a list created and maintained on the Web site (server-side). In one form or another, that list is considered a shopping cart and is a necessary component to on-line ordering.

There are several shopping cart programs you can get, ranging from free to moderately expensive. (I can imagine how one could program JavaScript to generate a form with-in a pop-up window that persists while the visitor continues to browse. No server-side database, no cookies... hmm....)

You might also want to contact David Larson, the contact person for the eCommerce SIG of the SPCUG. See their report on eBlue.

Q. All of a sudden, not all Usenet newsgroup articles are being retrieved by my newsreader. It seems only those within the last day or two are available. I access Inreach and use News Xpress.

A. The Newsmaster at Inreach reports that they need to increase the hard drive space that stores the enormous amount of Usenet articles. Until that happens, "article retention" is going to be very short – typically about 48 to 72 hours. Last year they increased the storage and retention to about a month. They then improved the quality of the feed to the point where the 250 Gigabytes of storage now lasts only a day or so. They calculate about 2 Terabytes (2000 Gigabytes) of hard drive space is needed to bring retention up to a week or so and that is not easy to get budgeted.

Inreach was getting their newsfeed through UUNet and the UUNet server was rejecting 80% of the articles they were sending to it. In addition, many of the groups were being filtered including many that contain multimedia binary files. A couple of months ago they switched their newsfeed to a full T-3 from Cidera, who brings it in through a satelite feed. This brought in a lot of newsgroups that contain large binaries and therefore consumed huge amounts of hard drive space. This dropped their retention.

Q. I have an old IBM PS/2 Model 50Z (286 CPU, monitor, dot matrix printer) that I would like to get rid of. Do you think there are any antique lovers out there that would like a dinosaur like this? For FREE, of course.

A. I am so sorry to say that, no, a 286 PS/2 and accessories would not interest anyone that I know. I do know that there is a computer recycler (metal, glass, etc) in the area. Please read this article from the Sacramento Bee.

You can drop off old PCs and stuff at Federal Assets Recovery in South Sacramento. No hassle, no paperwork, easy! Good Luck and thank you for asking!

Q. I'm somewhat unfamiliar with the usenet, so I am unsure as to which NNTP server and SMTP email I am supposed to enter in this Usenet newsgroup reader. Or are their tons of them? Do you recommend any in particular?

A. There are numerous open usenet servers. You can get a list by drilling down the menus at Yahoo. You can also visit www.deja.com, a Usenet article archive site. But your own ISP's Usenet server, probably "news.ispname.com," is the best service to use. The SMTP address you will use is the same as the one you used to send this e-mail, probably "smtp.ispname.com" or "mail.ispname.com."

Q. I have recently written a Visual Basic 6 program that writes data into an Access97 MDB and then opens a Word97 .DOC that is a Mail-Merge document which reads the MDB and prints (or Faxes) a form letter to whomever. It works fine, however my customer has recently swapped over to Office2000 and now nothing works. I understand that there is a DLL that one can use to get VB6 to speak the Jet4 lingo rather than Jet3.51. Any idea what it is called or where to get it?

A. Go to Microsoft and click the link for "MDAC 2.5 RTM is available for download." This should get you a file called MDAC_TYP.EXE and will fix the Jet 4.0/3.51 situation. Also, go to www.buygold.net/tips.html and click on "What I Learned about DAO 3.6 and Jet 4.0." There you be able to get a file called DAO360.DLL and instructions on how to register it into the system.